Good morning!
I’m sure you were a bit shocked at my title. Especially coming from someone obsessed with Christmas, but I promise to get more into that later! I wanted to hurry and get a blog up before spending the rest of the day cleaning up the house and packing for our weekend trip. I’m a bit nervous because it’s my first time leaving Tux, but he’ll be in great hands with my parents staying here with him.
This past week was good, and it went by so fast. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good physically and mentally! I did a lot of Christmas baking, caught up with friends, and even fit in some long walks. On Monday, I promised myself lunch at Lights Juicery if I finished my blog work. Not only is it a 25-minute drive from the house, but the food is insanely overpriced, but I was craving it so bad! I had the hummingbird sandwich, a slice of lemon poppy bread, and ordered kale caesar salads for kyle and me.
I’ve been on an apples and peanut butter kick lately, so I had a side of that with my lunch! Should I probably start making these salads and veggie sandwiches at home? Yes.
The weather is starting to feel like winter here. I bundled up, and Leo and I headed out for a long afternoon walk.
The funny thing about pregnancy is one day you can be craving all the vegetables, and the next day you want garlic bread and Chef Boyardee. I’m just riding this wave and trying to give my body what it’s craving without fighting it too hard.
This week, Leo taught Tux how to sprint from side to side of the house to keep up with the people walking by the front. This is something he used to do with Grumples, and even though the barking is rather annoying, it’s so cute to watch them do this together.
I had been craving my mom’s pot roast with egg noodles for so long! It’s hard to find those egg noodles down here in the south, and I finally found them at Publix! I picked up all the ingredients to make the dish for dinner on Thursday night, and it was such a hit! I will post this recipe soon! It was so easy to make and mouthwatering.
On Saturday morning, I headed back to my parents to finish a few bags up and stopped at Starbucks to bring them coffee and grab Leo a puppuccino! I had the peppermint mocha latte with oat milk and decaf (still not a huge fan of the coffee taste just yet!) and sausage, cheddar, and egg sandwich. This was my first time trying the Starbucks breakfast sandwich, and it was pretty good! Better than Mcdonalds?….Nah, but good!
Kyle and I made turkey and black bean tacos for dinner on Saturday night. They were so so so so good, and we ended up making another batch to eat throughout the week. We even had them on Sunday morning for breakfast.
On Sunday afternoon, I met up with Kelsey and went on a 4-mile walk around Charlotte before meeting Emily and Caitlin for dinner at Bocado. Charlotte was showing off its gorgeous leaves.
Bocado was lit up so cute for Christmas. We had the salmon, kale salad, fries, and deviled eggs. Everything was delicious, and it was so fun catching up.
okkk so here’s the deal.
I’ve had a lot of messages asking for me to do a Christmas home tour or some video like I did on vlogmas. After one crazy year, I decided to leave all the Christmas decor up in the attic and take a break from decorating. I did put up a small tree from Hobby Lobby, and it still makes the space cozy enough to enjoy by the fire with a good holiday movie. Tux is still adjusting to our home, and he’s susceptible to changes. It took him a month just to come back into the living room after we got the new coffee table. I didn’t want to move his bed, put up a GIANT tree, and make him feel any more nervous. He doesn’t even like it when I clean his dog bed because he senses something has changed. I don’t think he’s ready for all the Christmas madness I’ve done over the years.
And Christmas is a hard time for me this year because it’s the one memory I LOVED having with Grumples. He was THE CHRISTMAS DOG! He would open gifts, let us put Santa hats on him, and almost all of my ornaments have his face on them. I don’t think I’m ready to open up everything, and I’m a little too hormonal for that right now.
And finally, I used to get so stressed going here and there for vlogmas that I never really got to relax around the holidays, and they always stressed me out. After this year, Kyle and I will be Santa Claus for so many years to come, and I’m sure we’ll want to make our baby’s first Christmas over the top. I see this as our LAST CHRISTMAS to take a breather! Sooooo for those reasons, our Christmas decor will be staying up in the attic until next year. We still plan to make Christmas dinner with the family, go to church, and do all the holiday-themed things, but not decorate 😉
Now, it’s time to finish some last-minute holiday gift wrapping, packing, and cleaning before we head to the big apple!
Questions for you!
- Have you ever skipped decorating for the holidays before?
- What is one childhood meal you’ve been craving lately?
- Do you have any favorite restaurants that are way overpriced, but you still go to anyways?
Jen says
I skipped decorating for Easter this year. My dad had passed away in January and I wasn’t feeling ready for all the effort that it took to put up decorations. It was necessary self care for me and my family to skip that.
I love Season 52, but we only go on special occasions when we want to treat ourselves because it’s pricey.
Taralynn says
So sorry, Jen! I can’t even imagine how hard it is. Keeping you in my prayers!
Ashley says
Where are your maternity leggings from? Sorry if I missed it in a previous post!
Taralynn says
Hi, Ashley!
omg they are THE BEST! I was going to make a list of must-haves so you didn’t miss this one yet.
I bought three pairs of black ones and all the colored ones. Here’s the link!
Rachael says
Hey Tara Lynn! I’ve been reading your blogs and following you since the beginning. I’m just super curious when you first started, how did you lose the weight? I’m really struggling right now to get going. My fiancé and I want to get married next year but I’m hesitant to try on dresses until I feel my best
Lots of love ❤️
Taralynn says
Hi, Rachael!
Gosh this is a tough one. Dieting and body image hasn’t been my main focus in such a long time, and now that I’m pregnant, I never think about it. It makes me sad to think that you wouldn’t want to try on dresses at the moment. This is such a happy time, and I’m sure your fiance loves you for who you are, right now, no matter what size! I do understand wanting to feel your best, but that doesn’t always happen even once you lose the weight.
Try your hardest to love yourself right now, be happy in the skin you’re in, and let the health and fitness part come next. Just small habits like walking daily, a weekly yoga class for relaxation, drinking more water, cooking at home with fresh fruits and vegetables, going to bed early, limiting alcohol, and finding ways to stay active together. It’s all a lifestyle change rather than a quick diet fix! XO
But girl, go try on those dresses!
Dawn G says
That makes perfect sense. Good for you and for respecting the safety and mental well being of Tux. I too haven’t felt like decorating this year either. Mostly bc my sweet Yorkie is dying from congestive heart failure 😞 and I’ve been so sad over it. I don’t feel much like celebrating. Enjoy your Xmas relaxed before your beautiful baby comes. Merry Christmas Taralynn & family. 💕
Taralynn says
Hi, Dawn!
Thank you for that. I just want him to feel safe and we already have so many changes coming his way soon!
I’m so so sorry to hear about your sweet pup. Gosh we are so lucky to have them in our lives and I pray you can find peace soon. Enjoy every single moment!
Emily B says
1. I love that you are doing what’s right for you and for your family! We didn’t do Christmas decorations for two years straight bc my husband was at a training academy and then again bc we were just renting a house and waiting to buy. Also we had so many changes going on with a new baby that it was all too much. However we are now in our new house, the baby is now a toddler and Christmas is in full swing here at our place! Lol! Not having decorations up the past couple years has made me cherish them even more now that they are up!
2. I always crave my moms tuna noodle casserole, also her homemade Mac and cheese 🙂
3. We don’t eat out much so every time we do prices seem astronomical for what you get!
Taralynn says
Hi, Emily!
I love hearing that. Seems like I’m following right in your path and doing the same! Gosh, Christmas must be so fun now!
OMG loveeee my mom’s tuna helper 😆 She was shocked when I asked her for the recipe the other day. I hadn’t had it in years.
AGREE! Especially lately.
Gina says
I definitely don’t blame you for taking a holiday breather! I did the exact same thing when I was pregnant with my daughter. My husband was in Afghanistan and it was just me and my dogs, so I spent that December lounging around in my pjs and eating tons of waffles (my #1 pregnancy craving). Also, it made me chuckle when I read your comment about veggies and Chef Boyardee. I couldn’t keep veggies down to save my life! I even tried to drink the v8 splash juice blended with veggies to try to sneak some in, but it came right back up. However, I LOVED the Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs. I hadn’t eaten it since I was a kid and couldn’t get enough when I was pregnant. I also craved the square cut type of pizza they used to serve in school cafeterias, so I hunted that down as well. Maybe part of it was a psychological thing to want to enjoy the last bits of youth before taking on the responsibility of becoming a parent, but I loved any food that reminded me of my childhood. Being a parent is the best, btw. I’ve been following you since your original website (I’ve always loved your recipes!) and I’m so excited for you! You’re already an amazing dog mom (which is DEFINITELY a real thing), so motherhood is going to come naturally to you. Congratulations, and I hope you and Kyle have a wonderful Christmas!
Taralynn says
Hi, Gina!
That sounds like a perfect December you had (considering what you were going through!), and I don’t blame you!
OHHHH that V8 came right back for me too during the first trimester 😆 I tried!!! OMG I was craving weird cafeteria food I had in high school as well. I wanted the chicken and noodles, steak nuggets, and their mashed potatoes! It’s so funny how we do that. They need to do a study on that because I’m only craving things from my childhood.
Thank you for those sweet words! That truly means so much to me!!! xo
Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo
Chloe says
I’ve never skipped, but I can understand all of your reasonings for skipping! Our older dog not doing great and we’re worried this is going to be his last Christmas, so we’re going all out for him, but I know next year will be hard if we don’t have him, he loves to open gifts!
Our local coffee shop is a bit overpriced but soo good and I love supporting local, we had it for lunch today and it’s definitely worth being overpriced!
Taralynn says
Yes! Go all out for him ♥️ My heart goes out to you. Such a hard phase of life. I love that he opens gifts too.
I do the same with local coffee shops. I spent so much on coffee beans for christmas gifts today, but totally worth it!
Lisa says
This year is not the year for Christmas in our house. I put up a little around the fireplace and told my husband this year is for Jesus not Santa Claus.
My husband hates hamburger soup but I make it once a year because it was something my mom made in the winter and I always liked the soup.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Taralynn says
Love that ♥️
My dad ALWAYS made hamburger soup, but I loved when my mom made lasagna soup!
I hope you have an amazing holiday! xo
Sonia says
How do we get our hands on your mom’s peanut brittle?! Visiting my family in Charlotte for the holidays and I’d love to buy some for them!
Mara says
I have been following this blog for ages. I just want to say thank you for doing something courageous. As women, we’re constantly doing, doing, and nothing wrong with it, but there is something wrong when there’s a lack of balance between doing and resting. I have admired your ability to do and demonstrate what it means to have fun doing it. You deciding to rest though this Christmas is the best act of courage. And it’s honestly so nice to hear about a couple whose goals are balanced and aligned. 👏
Taralynn says
Thank you, Mara!
It’s tough when I see so many amazing decorations all over social media and it’s only natural to want to keep up, but gosh resting is so much better! ♥️ Thank you for those kind words!!!
Milena says
Hi Taralynn!
I totally understand why are you skipping decorating this year. I am also sure Mr Grumples will be with you this Christmas, taking care of you from heaven 🙂
I never skipped decorating but once I skipped buying xmas gifts, I was coming back from a long trip and I decided to buy souvenirs for all my family. I didn´t have time for bigger shopping and I hope they weren´t mad but small souvenirs was all I got.
I´m craving all my mom´s meals because Polish cuisine is delicious and I miss it in Spain! I can´t wait for Christmas in Poland to eat them all!
My boyfriend and I went to Paris last week and everything was overpriced for me, especially restaurants. But I have to say the food was delicious and it was worth every euro! We also visited Disneyland in Paris and it was a pure magic! I´m sure you would love it as well because you are a huge Disney fan too 🙂
I wish you great weekend, big hugs from Barcelona 🙂
Taralynn says
Hi, Milena!
♥️ thank you for that!
Buying gifts for others can be so stressful, so totally understandable and souvenirs are so fun!
You’re going to have the best and most delicious Christmas this year! 😋
I’m so happy you had fun on your Paris trip, and Disneyland in Paris is a dream!! Hopefully, I can go one day!
xo
Jill says
1. I really don’t decorate much so it’s already not too stressful 🙂
2. When I was pregnant I hardcore craved EGGO waffles and gummy bears! Before that I don’t know the last time I had had EGGOs, but had one almost every single day then not again after I had my baby lol
3. MOST restaurants – all the sandwich and salad places! I always leave thinking I could just get ingredients and make this myself! 😛
Taralynn says
OMG Eggo waffles were my first trimester loves!!!
Hillary May says
*You are such a wise woman. I support your “mega decorating” break this year 100%. Your place still looks festive and cute with what you did put up. I love how you listen to your physical and mental needs of your body without giving into the pressures of expectations.
*I’m glad you found your egg noodles for your pot roast recipe. Have you ever made your own?..they are super easy and then you can make them as wide/thick as you want.
* I always loved my mom’s Norwegian fruit soup. It’s a hot soup made with tapioca and a variety of stone fruits. It’s soo good!
Taralynn says
Thank you, Hillary!
Yes, I have made my own and they are so fun to make! I usually do it for my chicken noodle soups! I’ve had to make my own the past 8 years living down here 😆
Stacy Leigh says
I decided to not fully decorate this year either. Currently 8 months pregnant, and the thought putting up a tree gives me a migraine lol. I did put up stockings and a Christmas wreath on my front door that’s it. I’m craving Christmas ham and cranberry sauce! Mmmmmm😋
Taralynn says
Oh, girl! I do not blame you!! Wishing you a healthy delivery! ♥️
ohh that sounds heavenly
Lorri says
That is really sweet that you’re trying not to stress out your rescue dog!
My beloved 16-year-old cat died in November, so I am grieving and it’s more painful than I ever imagined. Also dealing with multiple health issues myself.
So far, I have not decorated and can’t decide even now if I will do anything or not.
Taralynn says
He’s had a hard enough life already! ♥️
I’m so sorry about your cat 😔
Just do what feels right! Maybe something small!